Fiber optic weight management mat

ABSTRACT

A weight management mat for passively and automatically monitoring weight for one or more individuals in a household. The weight management mat generally includes a housing having an upper mat and a lower mat between which is sealed a pair of perpendicular sensor arrays. Each sensor array includes fiber optic cables laid out in a grid pattern. One or more microbend inducers act to induce detectable microbends in the fiber optic cables when an individual steps on the upper mat. The change in light intensity caused by these microbends is recorded by photodetectors and processed by a microcontroller. The present invention may be utilized to identify each unique individual stepping on the present invention by the pressure map of their feet. Thus, recorded weight measurements may be tracked to aid in weight management.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/758,974 filedJan. 31, 2013. The 61/758,974 application is hereby incorporated byreference into this application.

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/779,061 filedMar. 13, 2013. The 61/779,061 application is hereby incorporated byreference into this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a weight management systemand more specifically it relates to a weight management mat forpassively and automatically monitoring weight for one or moreindividuals in a household.

2. Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Bathroom scales are common in households to aid in monitoring of anindividual's weight for weight management. The prior art method ofweight monitoring generally requires an individual to actively seek,then stand on, a conventional weight scale to display their weight. Theindividual will have to manually record the weight data generallyutilizing conventional recording methods, such as a pen and paper.

The present invention can automate the weight measurement and recordingprocess imperceptibly. By utilizing a conventional mat design, thepresent invention can aid in establishing a habit of stepping on the matupon exiting or entering a shower or bath.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a needfor a new and improved weight management mat for passively andautomatically monitoring weight for one or more individuals in ahousehold.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a weight management system whichincludes a housing having an upper mat and a lower mat between which issealed a pair of perpendicular sensor arrays. Each sensor array includesfiber optic cables laid out in a grid pattern. One or more microbendinducers act to induce detectable microbends in the fiber optic cableswhen an individual steps on the upper mat. The change in light intensitycaused by these microbends is recorded by photodetectors and processedby a microcontroller. The present invention may be utilized to identifyeach unique individual stepping on the present invention by the pressuremap of their feet. Thus, recorded weight measurements may be tracked toaid in weight management.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction or to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective exploded view of the present inventionillustrating the upper microbend inducer and sensor arrays.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view block diagram showing the configuration of thesensor arrays of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the various internal components of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 7 illustrate a weight management mat 10, which comprises ahousing having an upper mat 20 and a lower mat 80 between which issealed a pair of perpendicular sensor arrays 50, 60. Each sensor array50, 60 includes fiber optic cables 52, 62 laid out in a grid pattern.One or more microbend inducers 40, 70 act to induce detectablemicrobends in the fiber optic cables 52, 62 when an individual steps onthe upper mat 20. The change in light intensity caused by thesemicrobends is recorded by photodetectors 58, 68 and processed by amicrocontroller 92. The present invention may be utilized to identifyeach unique individual stepping on the present invention by the pressuremap of their feet. Thus, recorded weight measurements may be tracked toaid in weight management.

B. Upper and Lower Mats

As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the outer surfaces of the present inventiongenerally comprise an upper mat 20 sealed against a lower mat 80 to formthe outer structure of the present invention. The upper and lower mats20, 80 may be integrally formed or discrete structures secured to eachother. The upper and lower mats 20, 80 will preferably be of aconstruction to resemble a traditional bathroom mat.

The upper mat 20 includes an upper surface 22 and a lower surface 24.The upper mat 20 is generally flexible and may be comprised of variousmaterials which are conventionally used in bathroom mats, such as cottonor the like. The upper mat 20 may in some embodiments be comprised of awater-absorbing material. The upper surface 22 of the upper mat 20 isstood upon by an individual utilizing the present invention, such asafter taking a shower or bath. The lower surface 24 of the upper mat 20faces the moisture barrier 30 of the present invention.

The upper surface 22 of the upper mat 20 may also include a display 23.Various types of displays 23 known to work in bathroom scales or othersimilar devices may be utilized with the present invention. The display23 is utilized to show the weight of an individual and, in someembodiments, an identification of the individual detected by the presentinvention.

The lower mat 80 contacts the ground when the present invention is inuse. Thus, the lower mat 80 will preferably be comprised of a flexible,anti-slip material which prevents the present invention from slipping ona wet surface such as a bathroom floor. In a preferred embodiment, thelower mat 80 is comprised of polyurethane or a similar material. In someembodiments, the lower surface 84 of the lower mat 80 may include ananti-slip material, while the upper surface 82 of the lower mat 80 neednot necessarily have anti-slip properties.

C. Moisture Barrier

To protect the internal electronics of the present invention, one ormore moisture barriers 30 may be utilized. In the embodiment shown inthe figures, a moisture barrier 30 is positioned underneath the uppermat 20 against its lower surface 24. The moisture barrier 30 may becomprised of various materials known to prevent incursion of moistureinto an enclosed area, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

As best shown in FIG. 3, the moisture barrier 30 will preferably be thesame shape and size as both the upper and lower mats 20, 80. The uppersurface 32 of the moisture barrier 30 may be sealed against the lowersurface 24 of the upper mat 20. The lower surface 34 of the moisturebarrier 30 may be sealed against the upper surface 82 of the lower mat80 to seal and enclose the internal electronics of the presentinvention, such as shown in FIG. 1.

It should be appreciated that the configuration and placement of themoisture barrier 30 may vary in different embodiments of the presentinvention. For example, in some embodiments, the moisture barrier 30 maybe positioned underneath the internal electronics of the presentinvention instead of over them. In other embodiments, a pair of moisturebarriers 30 may be utilized to seal the internal electronics from eitherside. In other embodiments in which the upper and lower mats 20, 80 areadequately sealed, the moisture barrier 30 may be omitted entirely.

D. Sensing Assembly

The present invention utilizes a sensing assembly comprising internalelectronics which is adapted to perform the various functions of thepresent invention. Preferably, the sensing assembly will utilizemicrobend inducers 40, 70 and sensor arrays 50, 60 in combination withcontrollers 90, 92 to both weight and biometrically identify anindividual based on their unique foot pressure map.

A preferred embodiment of the sensing assembly is best shown in FIGS.3-5. In such an embodiment, intensity based fiber optic sensor arrays50, 60 are positioned perpendicularly with respect to each other to forma grip of fiber optic cables 52, 62. Each fiber optic cable 52, 62includes a light source 56, 66 to provide an input signal to the fiberoptic cables 52, 62 of a specific wavelength.

Microbend inducers 50, 70 are utilized to induce microbends in the fiberoptic cables 52, 62. These microbends are detected by one or morephotodetectors 58, 68 which measure the output signals of the fiberoptic cables 52, 62. Using this methodology, a unique pressure map ofthe individual's feet may be recorded and stored to later identify anindividual. The sensing assembly also is utilized to measure theindividual's weight.

i. Microbend Inducers.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-6, the present invention utilizes microbendinducers 40, 70 which act to induce microbends in the sensor arrays 50,60 to be detected by the photodetectors 58, 68. The configuration andtype of microbend inducers 40, 70 shown and described herein is merelyexemplary and should not be construed as limiting on the scope of thepresent invention. Various methods and structures known in the art toinduce detectable microbends in fiber optics may be utilized with thepresent invention.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in the figures, an upper microbendinducer 40 is positioned over the first sensor array 50 and a lowermicrobend inducer 70 is positioned under the second sensor array 60. Theupper surface 42 of the upper microbend inducer 40 is generally securedagainst or integrally formed with the moisture barrier 30 or, inembodiments omitting a moisture barrier 30, the lower surface 24 of theupper mat 20. The lower surface 74 of the lower microbend inducer 70 isgenerally secured against or integrally formed with the upper surface 82of the lower mat 80. In some embodiments, the lower surface 74 of thelower microbend inducer 70 may be secured against or integrally formedwith a moisture barrier 30.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the upper microbend inducer 40 includes aplurality of first microbend inducement members 46 extending across itslower surface 44. The first microbend inducement members 46 may becomprised of raised splines extending across the lower surface 44 of theupper microbend inducer 40 as best shown in FIG. 6. The first microbendinducement members 46 each extend in parallel with each other in adirection perpendicular with respect to the fiber optic cables 52 of thefirst sensor array 50.

The lower microbend inducer 70 similarly includes a plurality of secondmicrobend inducement members 76 extending across its upper surface 72.The second microbend inducement members 76 may similarly be comprised ofraised splines extending across the upper surface 72 of the lowermicrobend inducer 70 as best shown in FIG. 3. The second microbendinducement members 76 each extend in parallel with each other in adirection perpendicular with respect to the fiber optic cables 62 of thesecond sensor array 60. Thus, the second microbend inducement members 76also extend perpendicularly with respect to the first microbendinducement members 46.

The microbend inducement members 46, 76 will preferably be spaced with avalue equal to the mechanical periodicity of each sensor array 50, 60.The mechanical periodicity of each sensor array 50, 60 is generally acharacteristic of their components (i.e. the fiber optic cables 52, 62,light sources, 56, 66, and/or the photodetectors 58, 68).

For example, the first microbend inducement members 46 may be spacedwith relation to the mechanical periodicity of the first sensor array 50and the second microbend inducement members 76 spaced with relation tothe mechanical periodicity of the second sensor array 60.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of the presentinvention in which an alternative method of generating the microbendingin the sensor arrays 50, 60 is used. In this configuration the fiberoptic cables 52, 62 are laid in a crosshatch pattern 48. The crosshatchwill be in a pattern with the interweaving between the top and bottomfiber optic cables at a frequency of the mechanical periodicity that ischaracteristic of the sensor arrays 50, 60 (consisting of the fiberoptic cable, LED and photodetector).

ii. Sensor Arrays.

The present invention utilizes a pair of perpendicularly-oriented sensorarrays 50, 60 for performing various functionalities such as measuringweight or identifying an individual. Each sensor array 50, 60 generallycomprises a plurality of light conducting conduits such as fiber opticcables 52, 62. It should be appreciated that various light conductingmedia may be utilized within the sensor arrays 50, 60 of the presentinvention.

In a preferred embodiment as best shown in FIGS. 2-6, a first sensorarray 50 comprises a first plurality of parallel fiber optic cables 52.The second sensor array 60 comprises a second plurality of parallelfiber optics 62 which are oriented perpendicularly with respect to thefirst plurality of parallel fiber optics 52 to form a mesh grid patternto form an X-Y coordinate map as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each ofthe fiber optic cables 52, 62 will preferably operate in singletransmission mode and make use of microbending to aid in measuring theeffect of the weight on the fiber optic cables 52, 62 and translate to ameasurable signal.

The individual sensor arrays 50, 60 and their orientation with respectto each other is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown therein, thefirst sensor array 50 comprises a plurality of fiber optic cables 52oriented in parallel with respect to each other. The second sensor arrayis similarly comprised of a plurality of fiber optic cables 62 orientedin parallel with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the sensorarrays 50, 60 may be operated with a Bragg grating to measure aweight-modified signal.

The numbering and spacing of the fiber optic cables 52, 62 within thefirst sensor array 50 and second sensor array 60 may vary in differentembodiments. The fiber optic cables 52, 62 may be spaced with a valueequal to the characteristic mechanical periodicity of each respectivesensor array 50, 60, which is generally a characteristic of thecomponents thereof, such as the fiber optic cables 52, 62 themselves,the light sources 56, 66, and/or the photodetectors 58, 68.

The orientation of the fiber optic cables 52 within the first sensorarray 50 is preferably perpendicular with respect to the first microbendinducement members 46 so that a plurality of intersectional pressurepoints are formed as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Similarly, the orientationof the fiber optic cables 62 within the second sensor array 60 ispreferably perpendicular with respect to the second microbend inducementmembers 76. These pressure points are utilized to create microbendswithin the sensor arrays 50, 60 which are detectable via usage ofphotodetectors 58, 68.

One or more light sources 56, 66 act as inputs to the fiber optic cables52, 62 of the sensor arrays 50, 60. The light sources 56, 66 willpreferably emit an input signal of a specific wavelength (infra-red,visible red, etc.) through the fiber optic cables 52, 62 of each sensorarray 50, 60. Various types of light sources 56, 66 may be utilized,such as light emitting diodes (LED). Microbends induced in the fiberoptic cables 52, 62 by the microbend inducers 40, 50 will be detectableby one or more photodetectors 58, 68 at the output of the fiber opticcables 52, 62.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more first light sources 56 act as aninput to the first ends 53 of the fiber optic cables 52 of the firstsensor array 50. Similarly, one or more second light sources 66 act asinputs to a first end 63 of the fiber optic cables 62 of the secondsensor array 60. One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 3, wherein eachfiber optic cable 52 of the first sensor array 50 includes a first lightsource 56 at its first end 53 and each fiber optic cable 62 of thesecond sensor array 60 includes a second light source 66 at its firstend 63.

The present invention utilizes photodetectors 58, 68 to detect a changein the intensity of light signals being carried within the sensor arrays50, 60. The intensity change is caused by the microbends in the fiberoptic cables 52, 62 of the sensor arrays 50, 60. By detecting the changein intensity of signals within the sensor arrays 50, 60, the presentinvention may measure the change in wavelength of the signals throughthe fiber optic cables 52, 62 as a function of applied weight andpressure.

The photodetectors 58, 68 may be comprised of any light-detecting mediawith sensitivity to detect the signals emitted by the light sources 56,66 as well as changes in intensity thereof, such as increases inattenuation caused by microbending. In preferred embodiments, thephotodetectors 58, 68 may be comprised of phototransistors orphotodiodes.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more first photodetectors 58 arepositioned at the second ends 54 of the fiber optic cables 52 of thefirst sensor array 50. Similarly, one or more second photodetectors 68are positioned at the second ends 64 of the fiber optic cables 62 of thesecond sensor array 60. One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 3, whereineach fiber optic cable 52 of the first sensor array 50 includes a firstphotodetector 58 at its second end 54 and each fiber optic cable 62 ofthe second sensor array 60 includes a second photodetector 68 at itssecond end 64.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the first photodetectors 58 of the first sensorarray 50 are connected to a first multiplexer 59 and the secondphotodetectors 68 of the second sensor array 60 are connected to asecond multiplexer 69. The multiplexers 59, 69 each combine the multiplesignals received from the photodetectors 58, 68 into a single signal tobe transmitted to the microcontroller unit 92. The first multiplexer 59and the second multiplexer 69 are each adapted to generate a singleoutput in the form of X-Y coordinates of each of the sensor arrays 50,60 corresponding to the detected pressure points activated due to theperson's weight.

E. Controllers

The present invention will utilize one or more controllers 90, 92 foroperating the various functionalities of the present invention. In apreferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, a sensor array controller 90may be utilized to controller operation of the sensor arrays 50, 60,including the light sources, 56, 66 and photodetectors 58, 68. Thesensor array controller 90 may be comprised of circuitry, an integratedcircuit, or other electrical components necessary to operate the sensorarrays 50, 60. In some embodiments, the functions of the sensor arraycontroller 90 may be performed partially or wholly by themicrocontroller unit 92 described below.

As best shown in FIG. 5, a microcontroller unit (MCU) 92 is included toprovide the overall functionality of the present invention. The MCU 92processes the data received from the sensor arrays 50, 60 andcoordinates all processing activities of the various components of thepresent invention. As noted above, the MCU 92 may be integrated with andperform all functions of the sensor array controller 90, or may becomprised of a separate controlling system from the sensor arraycontroller 90.

The MCU 92 will generally contain firmware adapted to coordinate theoperation of the present invention. Various types of microcontrollerunits 92 may be utilized with the present invention, and the presentinvention should not be construed as being limited to any particularmicrocontroller unit 92. The functions of the microcontroller unit 92within the present invention may in some embodiments be distributedamong multiple processors or microcontroller units 92.

As shown in FIG. 5, the present invention may also utilize a wirelesstransceiver 94 to transmit data such as weight readings to a separatedevice such as a phone, tablet computer, laptop, or personal computervia wireless communications. The wireless transceiver 94 may also beutilized to update the firmware of the present invention. Variouswireless communication types may be utilized, including WI-FI,BLUETOOTH, 3G, 4G, infrared, and the like. In some cases, the wirelesstransceiver 94 may transmit data to a cloud-based server to store andanalyze the data at a later time.

The present invention may also include memory 95 for storing variousdata utilized for performing its various functions. Various types ofmemory 95 may be utilized, though in a preferred embodiment non-volatilememory 95 type. The memory 95 is primarily utilized to store a databaseof pressure map readings to aid in identifying users of the presentinvention. The memory 95 may also be utilized for various otherfunctions, such as storing weight readings for weight management.

The present invention will also generally include at least one powersupply 96 for providing power to its various components. Various typesof power supplies 96 may be utilized, such as a rechargeable batteryunit. In some embodiments, energy harvesting such as piezoelectrics maybe utilized to convert mechanical energy generated from footsteps of theindividuals getting on and off the present invention to electrochemicalenergy. In some embodiments, a power management module may also beincluded as part of the power supply 96.

F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

In use, the present invention will preferably be placed in a location atwhich it will be easy to form a routine of stepping onto the presentinvention on a periodic basis, such as just outside a shower or bath.The present invention is adapted to serve as a bathroom mat or rug onwhich an individual can stand while drying after a bath or shower. Thepresent invention will preferably be hidden to the casual observer aswell as operate as a weighing scale.

The present invention will preferably rest in a dormant sleep modeabsent pressure by an individual. Thus, the present invention willpreferably automatically power on when an individual steps on the mat 10and power down after a short period of time without detection ofpressure.

When an individual first steps on the present invention such asrepresented in FIGS. 4 and 5, pressure points on the bottom of theirfeet will cause the microbend inducers 40, 50 to induce microbends atspecific locations of the fiber optic cables 52, 62 of the sensor arrays50, 60.

These microbends will cause changes in light intensity which, afterdetection by the photodetectors 58, 68, may be utilized by themicrocontroller unit 92 to create a pressure map along the X-Y mesh ofthe sensor arrays 50, 60 that are unique to the individual standing onthe present invention. The pressure map will be comprised of a storedouter shape of the pressure caused within the sensor arrays 50, 60 bymicrobends induced by the individual's feet.

The pressure map generated by the individual will be used to determinethe shape or morphology, size, and other unique features of the feet.This data may be stored in memory 94 to be accessed later in identifyingthe individual and tracking weight readings. When a new individual stepson the map that is not recognized in the existing database, a new entrywill be entered and saved in memory 94 for retrieval later. When areturning individual is recognized, any new weight readings will beassociated with their unique identifier to aid in tracking.

The sensor arrays 50, 60 are also utilized to record the individual'sweight, which may be shown on the display 23. Timestamps may be recordedwith each weight reading to aid in tracking of weight gain or weightloss. This data may be transferred to other devices, such as anapplication on a mobile phone or an associated website where the datamay be accessed and reviewed periodically by the user. Through settingup a routine of periodically stepping on the present invention whenentering or exiting the shower or bath, an individual may moreefficiently manage his/her weight than previously available in the priorart.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof,and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilizedwithin the description are for convenience only and have no legal orlimiting effect.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A weight management mat, comprising: an outer housing comprising an upper mat and a lower mat; a first sensor array positioned within said outer housing, said first sensor array comprising a first grid of fiber optic cables adapted to carry one or more light signals; a second sensor array positioned within said outer housing, said second sensor array comprising a second grid of fiber optic cables adapted to carry said one or more light signals; a first microbend inducer comprising a plurality of first splines oriented in parallel; a second microbend inducer comprising a plurality of second splines oriented in parallel; wherein said first splines are perpendicular with respect to said second splines, wherein said first microbend inducer and said second microbend inducer are adapted to induce microbends within said first sensor array and said second sensor array in response to application of weight to said outer housing; and at least one photodetector adapted to detect sensitivity changes of said one or more light signals caused by said microbends.
 2. The weight management mat of claim 1, wherein said first sensor array is perpendicularly overlaid with second sensor array.
 3. The weight management mat of claim 1, further comprising at least one light source for emitting said one or more light signals.
 4. The weight management mat of claim 3, wherein said at least one light source is comprised of a light emitting diode.
 5. The weight management mat of claim 1, wherein said at least one photodetector is comprised of a phototransistor.
 6. The weight management mat of claim 1, further comprising a moisture barrier protecting said first sensor array and said second sensor array from moisture.
 7. The weight management mat of claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller unit adapted to create unique pressure maps based on said sensitivity changes detected by said at least one photodetector.
 8. The weight management mat of claim 7, further comprising memory for storing a database of said unique pressure maps.
 9. The weight management mat of claim 8, further comprising a wireless transceiver for transmitting weight readings to another device.
 10. A weight management mat, comprising: an outer housing comprising an upper mat and a lower mat; a first sensor array positioned within said outer housing, said first sensor array comprising a first plurality of fiber optic cables; a first microbend inducer adapted to induce microbends within said first sensor array in response to application of weight to said outer housing, said first microbend inducer comprising a plurality of first splines oriented in parallel; a second sensor array positioned within said outer housing, said second sensor array comprising a second plurality of fiber optic cables, wherein said second sensor array is positioned perpendicularly with respect to said first sensor array; a second microbend inducer adapted to induce microbends within said second sensor array in response to said application of weight to said outer housing, said second microbend inducer comprising a plurality of second splines oriented in parallel, wherein said first splines are perpendicular with said second splines; at least one light source for providing one or more light signals to said first sensor array and said second sensor array; and at least one photodetector adapted to detect sensitivity changes of said one or more light signals caused by said microbends.
 11. The weight management mat of claim 10, wherein said first sensor array is overlaid on second sensor array.
 12. The weight management mat of claim 10, wherein said at least one light source is comprised of a light emitting diode.
 13. The weight management mat of claim 12, wherein said at least one photodetector is comprised of a phototransistor.
 14. The weight management mat of claim 10, further comprising a moisture barrier protecting said at least one sensor array from moisture.
 15. The weight management mat of claim 10, further comprising a microcontroller unit adapted to create unique pressure maps based on said sensitivity changes detected by said at least one photodetector.
 16. The weight management mat of claim 15, further comprising memory for storing a database of said unique pressure maps.
 17. The weight management mat of claim 16, further comprising a wireless transceiver for transmitting weight readings to another device.
 18. The weight management mat of claim 16, said microcontroller being further adapted to identify an individual based on said unique pressure maps.
 19. A weight management mat, comprising: an outer housing comprising an upper mat and a lower mat; a first sensor array positioned within said outer housing, said first sensor array comprising a first plurality of fiber optic cables oriented in parallel; a first microbend inducer adapted to induce first microbends within said first sensor array in response to application of weight to said outer housing, said first microbend inducer comprising a plurality of first splines oriented in parallel; a second sensor array positioned within said outer housing, said second sensor array comprising a second plurality of fiber optic cables oriented in parallel, wherein said second sensor array is positioned perpendicularly with respect to said first sensor array; a second microbend inducer adapted to induce second microbends within said second sensor array in response to said application of weight to said outer housing, said second microbend inducer comprising a plurality of second splines oriented in parallel, wherein said first splines are perpendicular with said second splines; a moisture barrier positioned between said first sensor array and said upper mat; a first light emitting diode array for providing first light signals to said first sensor array; a second light emitting diode array for providing second light signals to said second sensor array; a first photodetector array adapted to detect sensitivity changes of said first light signals caused by said first microbends of said first sensor array; a second photodetector array adapted to detect sensitivity changes of said second light signals caused by said second microbends of said second sensor array; a microcontroller adapted to measure weight based on said sensitivity changes, wherein said microcontroller is further adapted to create unique pressure maps for a plurality of individuals, wherein said microcontroller is further adapted to identify each of said plurality of individuals based on said unique pressure maps; a memory for storing said unique pressure maps; a first multiplexer connecting said first photodetector array with said microcontroller; and a second multiplexer connecting said second photodetector array with said microcontroller. 